09 Sep 2016

GARDA RECRUITMENT COMMITMENT MUST BENEFIT RURAL AREAS – IFA

IFA National Treasurer Jer Bergin has welcomed the new recruitment campaign for members of An Garda Siochana, announced this week by Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald.

Acknowledging the commitment by Minister Fitzgerald to ongoing recruitment of new Gardaí, Jer Bergin said, “We expect that rural Ireland will benefit from the announced recruitment and that the Minister will ensure that additional Garda resources are allocated right across the country.

“IFA has been campaigning for increased policing hours and the presence of mobile Garda units in rural areas, and will continue to do so. We recognise the need for a well-staffed Garda force, equipped with the appropriate resources to carry out their duties.

“Many farmers and other rural dwellers are living in real fear for their personal safely and the safety of their families. The continued recruitment of new Garda members, and their allocation in rural areas, or the reallocation of experienced Gardaí to rural areas, will go a long way to restoring a sense of security to rural dwellers.”

“In response to the concerns of our members, IFA has taken a lead role in addressing security challenges and works with An Garda Síochána and other agencies to support rural crime prevention,” Jer Bergin concluded.